Tuesday, November 5
Houston, TX
6 p.m.
Rice University
1-0,0-0AAC
77
vs
70
FIU
0-1,0-0CUSA
1
2
F
FIU
27
43
70
Rice
38
39
77
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Rice Opens Season with 77-70 Victory Over FIU in Lanier’s Debut
11/5/2024 10:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — The Rice men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a 77-70 victory over FIU, giving Rob Lanier his first victory at Rice, Tuesday night from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Caden Powell scored Rice's first five points as it jumped out to an early 9-8 lead. However, FIU went on a 10-2 run to take its largest lead of the game at 18-11, with 11:07 to play. However, the Owls came right back, scoring 10 straight points over the next 3:30. After an FIU three-point play tied the game at 21, Rice made four-of-five free throws, and Andrew Akuchie knocked down a three from the top of the key. A layup cut the deficit to five, but Rice closed the half on a 10-4 run to take a 38-27 lead into the break.
The Owls came out hot in the second half, as Trae Broadnax scored seven points in a 9-3 run to open the half and give Rice it's largest lead of the game, 47-30, forcing a Panther timeout. But FIU responded making three straight three-pointers on its way to a 17-5 run that cut the deficit to 52-47. The teams battled back-and-forth over the next 4:25, but back-to-back baskets made it a one-possession game at 60-57 with 7:28 remaining. However, despite making just two baskets the rest of the way, Rice connected on 9-of-14 from the free throw line to seal the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 46.2% from the field, but just 25.0% from three. FIU was held to 36.5% from the floor and 33.3% from three. Rice also outrebounded the Panthers, 41-to-40.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I'm proud of the guys. This was our first real game together. In terms of rotation, we're figuring things out in real time. The rotation was choppy, the execution was choppy, and the defense was inconsistent. But there is a growing connection inside the team, and I think that's what carried us through. There's a real commitment that the guys have that got tested a little bit over the course of the game, which is good. It was healthy for us. Those are the kind of situations that we need to be in so that we can grow. So I'm really proud of the group."
Notes
• This was the 13th meeting between Rice and FIU.
• Rice improved to 8-5 in the series, including 4-2 in Houston.
• Rice improved to 62-49 all-time in season openers, and 42-14 when opening the season at home.
• The Owls won their seventh straight home opener and improved to 77-31 all-time.
• Head Coach Rob Lanier became the 15th head coach in school history to win his first game at Rice and the first since 1987.
• 11 players saw action for the Owls with nine playing at least 10 minutes.
• Nine players scored for the Owls.
• Caden Powell recorded his second career double-double, tying a career-high with 17 points while grabbing 11 rebounds.
• He's the first player to record a double-double in their first game since Jack Williams against Saint Leo on Nov. 6, 2018.
• Powell was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field.
• Trae Broadnax scored 15 points, had seven rebounds and added a game-high six assists.
• Alem Huseinovic scored nine points on a pair of three-pointers.
Next Up
Rice stays in Houston when it faces Florida State in the Toyota Center in the MattressFirm Battleground 2k24, this Saturday, Nov. 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be streamed at ESPN+.
The Story
Caden Powell scored Rice's first five points as it jumped out to an early 9-8 lead. However, FIU went on a 10-2 run to take its largest lead of the game at 18-11, with 11:07 to play. However, the Owls came right back, scoring 10 straight points over the next 3:30. After an FIU three-point play tied the game at 21, Rice made four-of-five free throws, and Andrew Akuchie knocked down a three from the top of the key. A layup cut the deficit to five, but Rice closed the half on a 10-4 run to take a 38-27 lead into the break.
The Owls came out hot in the second half, as Trae Broadnax scored seven points in a 9-3 run to open the half and give Rice it's largest lead of the game, 47-30, forcing a Panther timeout. But FIU responded making three straight three-pointers on its way to a 17-5 run that cut the deficit to 52-47. The teams battled back-and-forth over the next 4:25, but back-to-back baskets made it a one-possession game at 60-57 with 7:28 remaining. However, despite making just two baskets the rest of the way, Rice connected on 9-of-14 from the free throw line to seal the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 46.2% from the field, but just 25.0% from three. FIU was held to 36.5% from the floor and 33.3% from three. Rice also outrebounded the Panthers, 41-to-40.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I'm proud of the guys. This was our first real game together. In terms of rotation, we're figuring things out in real time. The rotation was choppy, the execution was choppy, and the defense was inconsistent. But there is a growing connection inside the team, and I think that's what carried us through. There's a real commitment that the guys have that got tested a little bit over the course of the game, which is good. It was healthy for us. Those are the kind of situations that we need to be in so that we can grow. So I'm really proud of the group."
Notes
• This was the 13th meeting between Rice and FIU.
• Rice improved to 8-5 in the series, including 4-2 in Houston.
• Rice improved to 62-49 all-time in season openers, and 42-14 when opening the season at home.
• The Owls won their seventh straight home opener and improved to 77-31 all-time.
• Head Coach Rob Lanier became the 15th head coach in school history to win his first game at Rice and the first since 1987.
• 11 players saw action for the Owls with nine playing at least 10 minutes.
• Nine players scored for the Owls.
• Caden Powell recorded his second career double-double, tying a career-high with 17 points while grabbing 11 rebounds.
• He's the first player to record a double-double in their first game since Jack Williams against Saint Leo on Nov. 6, 2018.
• Powell was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field.
• Trae Broadnax scored 15 points, had seven rebounds and added a game-high six assists.
• Alem Huseinovic scored nine points on a pair of three-pointers.
Next Up
Rice stays in Houston when it faces Florida State in the Toyota Center in the MattressFirm Battleground 2k24, this Saturday, Nov. 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be streamed at ESPN+.
Team Stats
FIU
Rice
FG%
.365
.462
3FG%
.333
.250
FT%
.750
.605
RB
40
41
TO
11
16
STL
11
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
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